U20 WC Brazil 2 Nigeria 0: Pedroso and Marquinhos goals end Flying Eagles unbeaten run

Nigeria's Flying Eagles on Saturday finished in third place in Group D of the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Argentina following a 2-0 defeat to Brazil in their last group game at the Estadio Único Diego Armando Maradona, La Plata

The Nigerians who had beaten Dominican Republic 2-1 and Italy 2-0 in their previous games became one of the four best losers in the group stages with Italy claiming second spot with a 3-0 win over debutant, Dominican Republic. 

Right back Austin Njoku came into the starting lineup for the first time in the tournament as Benjamin Fredrick is rested by coach Ladan Bosso. 

Jude Sunday produced an acrobatic shot early in the game that saw the ball cone off the crossbar from an Umeh Emmanuel cross. 

Brazil enterprising forward Savio attempted to break the duck shortly after Sunday's effort just few seconds but his shot narrowly went wide for a Nigerian goalkick. 

Samson Lawal wriggled his way past two Brazilian markers before hitting a shot that was gathered by the Brazilian goalkeeper. 

In the 31st minute Marcos Leonardo missed a gilt-edged chance chance for a Brazil from close range after a pinpoint delivery by Arsenal winger Marquinhos but he misfired from an Ogwuche pressure 

With five minutes before the break, Savio fell rather cheaply under the challenge of Abel Ogwuche but there was no VAR penalty decision in favour of the South Americans. 

Brazil however went ahead in the 43rd minute through Jean Pedroso who leapt high to get past Daniel Bameyi from a corner kick. 

Brazil continued their incursion deep into the Nigerian territory and a late counter led to Brazil's second goal asMarquinhos' low finish went past through the legs of Kingsley Aniagboso in goal for Nigeria in added time of first half. 

Ogwuche was yellow-carded two minutes into the second half and a free kick awarded to the Brazilians at the edge of the penalty area. Marcos Leonard's kick greased the side net. 

Aniagboso saved from Savio in the 57th minute from close range as the Samba boys continued to pepper the Eagles. 

The goalkeeper was on hand to keep away Brazil's 13th shot on goal soon afterwards before a timely clearance by Bameyi. 

A Triple change by Bosso brought urgency in the Nigerian approach as Haliru Sarki struck the crossbar and the ball eventually flew out for a corner kick after Mycael in goal for Brazil tipped it over. 

Second half substitute Kehinde Ibrahim won a free kick for Nigeria  near the Brazil area but Tochukwu Nnadi's pass for Njoku eluded the latter as the Africans failed to secure a consolation goal. 

Izuchukwu Michael

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